Bids approved for Spartan Court project

Southwestern Community College's Spartan Court bares its bones while workers construct the ceiling of the first floor of the building. The residence hall will have three floors and is expected to be finished in July.

By BAILEY POOLMAN
CNA staff reporter
bpoolman@crestonnews.com

Southwestern Community College Board of Directors approved several bid packages for the new dormitory project.

All board members were present.

Spartan Court, the selected name for the new residence hall located south of SWCC's Instructional Center, will house 92 students and include community room and group study lounges.

The three-story building was estimated to cost $6.2 million. However, Tom Lesan, SWCC vice president of economic development, said there is a possibility the college will save money.

"I hate to jinx myself, but I'm going to say we're going to be a little below budget," said Lesan.

The project's expected completion date is July 14.

Bids

After holding public hearings, board members voted to approve consideration of bids for 15 bid packages.

The bids total $2,629,216, which is less than the projected budget of $2,840,649 by $211,433.

However, construction for Spartan Court is behind because of weather.

"Two weeks behind is what they're telling me, but nothing they don't think they can't make up," said Lesan.

Currently, the first floor is under construction. Floors two and three have not been constructed yet.

"A lot of people are asking, 'Can we reserve a room in the new dorm?'" said Lesan. "I'll feel a little better when the second and third floors are done."

Landscaping

The bid package for landscaping did not have any bids. However, the college's spring 2014 Introduction to Horticulture students have plans to landscape both Spartan Hall and Spartan Court.

"This year's class that's meeting right now will design the plan, and next year's class will plant, and do all of that stuff," Lesan said.

Lesan also said there is the possibility a local landscaper will be hired to do the actual landscape labor.

The plans will be different since Spartan Hall has existing landscaping, and has a vertical heating and cooling system outside, while Spartan Court will have new ground and a horizontal heating and cooling system that landscaping can't be in front of.

"So, a great experience for the students," Lesan said. "I really believe it is, and Erica Blair, the instructor, she's saying the same thing."

The landscaping could take six to nine months, but there is a chance it could take up to a year to complete.

Other bids

SWCC Board will hold a public hearing 5:30 p.m. Feb. 27 for bid packages for fire sprinklers and electrical. The designs for fire sprinklers were not up to code, and the changes were not made in time, while the bid for electric was rejected.

A bid was received for electrical work by Van Maanen Electric in Newton for $1,308,900, but the amount budgeted for electrical was $643,861, less than half the bid amount. The bid was unanimously rejected.

Electrical and fire sprinklers will most likely be done mid-April.

Spartan Court will be furnished by Contract Supply, the company Southwestern currently uses to furnish Spartan Suites. The contract is proposed for $164,384.50, compared to a competitive quote by Savoy Supply for dorm room furniture, excluding installation, for $179,547.50.

In other SWCC news:

• Fall 2014 semester enrollment was down 6 percent from the prior fall, but spring 2014 enrollment is down only 4 percent from the prior spring semester.